Forty drown in France seeking relief from heat

A dog sitter cools off dogs in a mist fountain amid a heatwave in central Paris, on Tuesday. PIC/AFP

Forty people have drowned in France over recent days as they sought to cool down to escape record heat by jumping into canals and rivers, officials said on Tuesday.

Much of France is under severe heat alert and set to experience temperatures around 40°C on Tuesday, with temperatures of up to 43°C expected in some parts of western France.

The country has just recorded its hottest afternoon and night since records began in 1947. Fifty-four departments are under red alert in what forecasters said was unprecedented.

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